Sexual Assault

Sexual violence is a crime and it includes any act (verbal or physical) which breaks a person’s trust and is sexual in nature.

This includes:

sexual harassment

exposure to pornography or private body parts

rape

child sexual assault

incest

ritual abuse

martial/partner rape

date/acquaintance rape

sexual contact without consent

1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime

What should I do if I am sexually assaulted?

Find a safe location away from the perpetrator. If possible, ask a trusted friend to be with you for moral support.

Preserve all evidence of the attack. Do not bathe, wash your hands, brush your teeth, eat, or smoke.

If you are still in the location at which the crime occurred, do not clean or straighten up or remove anything.

Write down all the details you can recall about the attack and the perpetrator.

Seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if you do not have any visible physical injuries, you may be at risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease, women may also be at risk for pregnancy.

Ask the authorities to contact your local crisis center, which can provide information on the nearest medical facility, and in some instances, send an advocate to accompany you through the evidence collection process.

If you suspect you have been drugged, request that a urine sample be collected to preserve evidence.

Know that what happened was not your fault. Recognize that healing from an attack takes time. Give yourself the time you need and know that it is never too late to get help.

*Information based on the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) website

If you are interested in receiving a presentation or awareness event from The Bridge to Hope, please call 715-235-9074 or email manager@thebridgetohope.org for more information.

Dunn and Pepin Counties are also very large geographically, and we are available to all victims, regardless of which corner of the county they live in. We are willing to travel to meet with any victim, in a safe location.

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The Bridge to Hope

Sheltering and supporting those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.